Harden sets stage for season of strong expectations

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For three NBA seasons, James Harden received advanced studies in the role of NBA superstar.

When he was not partnered with the best player on the floor, Kevin Durant, he took his turn going against the best players — from Kobe Bryant to LeBron James — then called them all Olympic teammates and friends.

He had not earned membership in that exclusive club or, for that matter, status as a starter. But he saw up close what it would take to join.

The application process begins now.

“I’ve seen how hard those guys work,” Harden said. “Obviously, my talent level is there. I just really didn’t get an opportunity to show it at all times. Here, I do. I just have to show it.
“I was on the Olympic team with those guys. I know what it looks like. I’ve been around it. I’ve built up on it. I’m one of those guys.”

This was not, Harden said, why he declined Oklahoma City’s contract offer, leading to Saturday night’s trade to the Rockets. He did quickly say he would sign a long-term extension with the Rockets, who plan to offer a max contract, according to a person familiar with their plans.

“To be honest, I was not really thinking about it,” Harden said. “The opportunity I had coming off the bench with that second unit, I was the guy with that second unit. I had opportunities to close games out in the fourth quarter, but I never really thought about it. Now I’m in the situation; I am the guy.”

There will be an adjustment to be made. In three NBA seasons, Harden has started just seven games. He will begin games against opposing teams’ best defenders and as the focus of their game plans. But he said he is certain his all-around game will allow him to assume that role.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “I’ve been put in that position before, and I’m ready for it.

“The difference for me is I’m not just a scorer. If I have a bad shooting night, go 2-for-15, I can do other things and have eight assists, eight rebounds, a couple steals, play well defensively.”

That versatility inspired the Rockets to make the same offer for Harden that they made the Orlando Magic for Dwight Howard. With Harden, they have the added confidence that he will sign long-term, something Howard said he would not.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey described Harden as a player upon whom he can build a championship contender.

Changing dynamic

“You have to have a foundational player, and James is that,” Morey said. “Now our job is to add a very significant player or have one of our young guys develop into an All-Star-caliber player. You probably need two to really be a championship contender. We’re not there yet. We have multiple young players that can take that step forward. We also have max cap room to get it done. He changes the whole dynamic.

“To win the title, you have to have an All-Star player. We feel we have one now. Frankly, you want more than one. But you have to have one first. We got one. I know James hasn’t been voted one yet, but it’s going to happen. This is the year.”

The Rockets acquired Harden with goals much more long-term than representing them at the All-Star Game at Toyota Center or to help them attract free agents. But the addition of Harden should immediately fill one of the team’s most immediate needs.

“On the floor, for offense we’re going to play up-tempo,” Morey said. “We’re going to get a lot of easy baskets that way. But our halfcourt offense was pretty challenged given our roster at this point. James is probably top five in the league halfcourt talent on offense.

“He’s an elite offensive player, a complete player. He can pass, shoot, attack the basket. Really, even though he’s a gold medalist and an Olympian and made the Finals, I still think he’s an underrated player.

“He’s absolutely someone when they see him step into the role of the star of the Houston Rockets, people are going to realize just how good he is.”

He also should take some pressure off Jeremy Lin to create all of his own offensive opportunities. The Rockets did have Chandler Parsons handling the ball in the pick-and-roll, but he can now play off Lin and Harden, and Harden can initiate or finish the offense, making it more difficult for defenses to swarm to Lin as they did in the preseason.

Ready to mesh

If Lin remains the face of the franchise, Harden can be the facial hair, confident that they will mesh.

“It’s a new stage, a new time for me to take on another role, a new path,” Harden said. “I’m looking forward to it. Not only can this team go to another level, but I can go to another level as well with my game. We’re going to work together to do it. We have great character guys here, guys who want to work.